Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter infection refers to disease caused by A. baumannii strains exhibiting resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems used as last-line therapy against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria [1]. The organism is characterized as a nosocomial pathogen capable of causing severe infections in critically ill patients [2].
Disease overview
Bacterial Evidence-backed information EN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has attracted substantial scientific concern because of its extensive antimicrobial resistance and the resulting difficulty in eradicating infections in both hospital and community settings [1]. It is a nosocomial pathogen causing ventilator-associated and bloodstream infections in critically ill patients, and its spread as a multidrug-resistant strain is worrisome [2]. Reservoirs have also been reported in livestock and community environments, indicating a breadth of occurrence beyond hospitals [1].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile 6
The pathogen employs attachment, biofilm formation, secretion of toxins, and low activation of inflammatory responses as mechanisms during infection [1]. Minocycline has been identified as a tetracycline of choice for such infections, with doxycycline also showing activity, though these are antimicrobial rather than descriptive clinical traits [3].
Multidrug-resistant A. baumannii is a worldwide problem, with emerging resistance driven by mobile genetic elements such as transposons, plasmids, and integrons leading to prevalent MDR and extensive drug-resistant strains [1]. Outbreaks linked to plasmid-mediated resistance and occurrences in livestock and community settings reveal large strain reservoirs inside and outside hospitals [1].
A. baumannii thrives in health-care environments through environmental persistence mechanisms including desiccation resistance, biofilm formation, and motility, facilitating its spread as a nosocomial pathogen [2]. Its plastic genome rapidly mutates under stress, and recently identified virulence factors such as secretion systems and surface glycoconjugates support successful host infection [2].
Control of extensive drug-resistant A. baumannii infections requires proper monitoring and prevention measures according to review evidence [1].
- 1 Ibrahim S et al. Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii as an emerging concern in hospitals. Mol Biol Rep. 2021 Oct. PMID: 34460060. doi: 10.1007/s11033-021-06690-6. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34460060/
- 2 Harding CM et al. Uncovering the mechanisms of Acinetobacter baumannii virulence. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018 Feb. PMID: 29249812. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro.2017.148. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29249812/
- 3 Singh S et al. Minocycline and Doxycycline: More Than Antibiotics. Curr Mol Pharmacol. 2021. PMID: 33568043. doi: 10.2174/1874467214666210210122628. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33568043/
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